READING TIME: 5 MINS
COASTAL GRANDMOTHER STYLE
“The coastal grandmother style is the epitome of seaside serenity. This laidback look evokes sun-washed cottage vibes and breezy, beach house comfort.”
Coastal grandma style celebrates old memories and combines them with the freshness of coastal living.
The coastal grandmother style is all about embracing simplicity, functionality, and cosiness. It embodies timeless good taste. If you're seeking an interior motif that whispers easy coastal-style living, the coastal grandmother aesthetic promises to deliver just that. Read on for some tips how to achieve the look and feel of this style.
Coastal Grandmother - Vintage Meets Minimalism
The coastal grandmother aesthetic is a relatively new interior design trend, rising to prominence in 2022. Characterised by its light and airy colour palette, focus on natural textures, and emphasis on casual comfort, this style is ideal for those looking to channel the laidback coastal lifestyle. The tranquility and charm of this look remind us to slow down, embrace life's simple pleasures, and cherish time with loved ones. This style offers the perfect blend of rustic charm, vintage finds, and a touch of coastal-style sophistication.
The coastal grandmother trend draws its inspiration from classic New England style and seaside cottages. Its light and airy feel echoes the whitewashed walls and neutral hues found in cape cods and beach homes across New England. The use of weathered woods, antique furnishings, and billowy linens also stem from quintessential New England cottages. Images of the rugged Northeast coastline, with its rocky shores and historic lighthouses, conjure visions of the coastal grandmother's relaxed yet refined aesthetic. The style encapsulates the salt-aired patina and timeworn charm found throughout historic New England villages and harboursides. Coastal grandmother's affinity for natural textures like rattan and use of driftwood also connect back to the materials used in traditional New England seaside architecture and furniture-making.
Movies like Something's Gotta Give, It's Complicated, and Grace and Frankie spotlighted coastal grandmother style on our screens in recent years. Featuring heroines navigating life and romance from their gorgeous seaside homes, these stories encapsulated the appeal of relaxed sophistication.
There are a few key reasons why the coastal grandmother style is gaining popularity right now:
Comforting Nostalgia: The coastal grandmother aesthetic is steeped in nostalgia, reminding people of cherished childhood memories spent visiting grandma's beach house. It evokes feelings of comfort and nostalgia for simpler times.
Escape from Stress: With its light and airy vibe, coastal grandmother offers people a soothing escape and serene retreat from the stress and chaos of daily life. The calm, neutral palette and cosy textures create a zen-like ambiance.
Vintage Appeal: Vintage and antique pieces are at the heart of this look, which aligns with the growing popularity of vintage shopping and decor. Finding and repurposing charming vintage coastal finds resonates with maximalism fans.
Relaxed Refinement: Coastal grandmother interiors walk the line between casual seaside charm and refined sophistication. This balance of breezy and elegant is widely appealing.
Neutral Palette: The light, neutral colour palette of creams, whites, taupes and pale blues is versatile and easy to decorate with. These colours schemes complement a wide range of furniture and styles.
While coastal grandmother embraces vintage, it avoids feeling outdated by smartly blending with modern elements. The overall aesthetic is nostalgic meets coastal chic. It brings back old-fashioned seaside charm with a lifestyle that still feels relevant. In essence, this style gains fans because it stirs up treasured memories, provides a calming retreat, and has an instagram-worthy yet liveable aesthetic that serves as the perfect antidote to stressful modern times.
“This laidback aesthetic brings the allure of idyllic cottages and heritage interiors to contemporary homes. Its soothing colour palette and breezy fabrics blend seaside cosiness with modern minimalist tranquility.”
Who Is This Style Ideal For?
The coastal grandmother style combines elements of traditional, farmhouse and beach house decor. It is ideal for those who want a laidback, comforting ambiance in their homes. Grandmillennial style and cottagecore fans will find lots to love in the coastal grandmother trend.
“This style encapsulates breezy seaside living with a vintage sophistication. The result is a sanctuary that calms the senses through texture, heritage, and connection to the soothing rhythms of the waves.”
—
Refined vs Playful: Coastal Grandmother Vs Granddaughter
Though divergent in style, the coastal grandmother and coastal granddaughter aesthetics are two sides of the same seaside coin. Both looks share a nostalgia for the beach and the simple joys of oceanfront living. At their core, coastal grandmother and granddaughter use soft neutral backdrops to evoke the easygoing pace of life along the shoreline. Textural natural materials like rattan bring the texture of sand and visual serenity of waves indoors. The styles differ in their details but overlap in the underlying escapist sentiment.
Coastal grandmother channels mature refinement in pursuit of this tranquil vibe. Coastal granddaughter goes the playful, maximalist route. The hallmarks of coastal grandchild are bright pops of cheery turquoise, sunshine yellow, and corals. These bold tones liven up neutral backdrops. In place of antique items, coastal grandchild mixes in plastic furnishings, retro playroom pieces, found beach objects or even flip flops get incorporated as sculptural art. There is delightful clutter rather than careful curation. Vintage neon signs, string lights, bead curtains, and collectibles craft an eclectic, recreational vibe. For coastal grandchild, achieving the beach house feeling is about playful abundance rather than elegant restraint.
In essence, coastal grandmother and granddaughter are joined by their romanticisation of seasides. One represents the elegance of experience, the other the joy of youth.
—
Neutrals Meet Florals: Coastal Grandmother vs Cottagecore
The cottagecore aesthetic revels in vibrant punched-up florals and richer tones. Shades of emerald, ruby, and sapphire enliven walls papered in botanical prints. Deep wood finishes and ornate trim amplify the cosy opulence. Florals, collectibles, and vintage wallpaper patterns adorn the layers of clutter that give traditional cottagecore its kind of storybook charm. Where coastal grandmother favours a serene minimalism, cottagecore prefers an abundant maximalism. Each design style creates beauty through palette, whether faded or vivid.
—
Coastal Grandmother Style vs. Coastal Farmhouse
The coastal grandmother and coastal farmhouse styles share many charming vintage-inspired elements, while still retaining distinct differences. Both aesthetics incorporate weathered woods, antique or repurposed furnishings, and textural natural fibres like jute and linen. There's an emphasis on craftsmanship, patina, and design infused heritage.
In addition, coastal grandmother and farmhouse favour soothing neutral colour palettes of off-whites, creams, and greys. This provides a relaxed yet welcoming backdrop. Touches of blue and green connect back to the sea and land. Coastal grandmother has more refined lines and feminine accents. Coastal farmhouse embraces more rugged, industrial looks through unpainted wood finishes and metalwork. While coastal grandma displays carefully curated seashells and books, coastal farmhouse opts for fruit crates, mason jars, or gardening tools. The overall vibe is more rustic and casual.
Both styles share nostalgic charm and neutral palettes, but coastal grandmother channels more breeze and polished sophistication compared to coastal farmhouse's somewhat more rugged simplicity.
—
Coastal Grandmother vs. Coastal Chic: Timeless vs. Contemporary
Both of these styles offer you the flexibility to choose between nostalgia-infused charm and contemporary coastal elegance.
Coastal chic takes a more modern and sophisticated approach to coastal living. Clean lines, neutral colour palettes, and a minimalist approach define this style. Coastal chic emphasises open spaces, uncluttered layouts and a focus on natural materials like polished woods, glass, and metals. The result is a space that exudes simplicity and sophistication, making it perfect for those who prefer a more refined coastal aesthetic. Both styles allow you to craft a coastal-style home that resonates with your personal style and preferences.
__
How To Achieve the Coastal Grandmother Look
Here are some tips how you can create the charming and timeless aesthetic of coastal grandma by combining elements of coastal living with vintage and rustic decor.
Colour Palette: Start with a soothing colour palette that mimics the coastal environment. Think creamy whites and off-whites. Neutrals such as light beiges, sand and oatmeal. Pale blues, aquas and seafoam greens. Driftwood greys and weathered wood browns. Touches of coral, nautical navy and mustard yellow. Incorporate subtle pastels to add a touch of vintage charm.
Weathered Wood: Embrace weathered, distressed, or reclaimed wood for furniture and decor. Think whitewashed or naturally weathered finishes for a rustic feel.
Vintage Furniture: Hunt for antique or vintage furniture pieces. Think about your grandmother's old wooden rocking chair, carved wood beds, an heirloom, armoires or a distressed dresser with character, carved wood frames, weathered storage baskets and faded quilts. Mix and match furniture styles for a more eclectic look. Re-upholstering old chairs or sofas with coastal-themed fabrics can add a personal touch.
Wicker and Rattan: Integrate wicker or rattan furniture pieces, like chairs, headboards, coffee tables, decorative baskets, hanging lamps made from natural fibres, and textured and braided rugs, especially jute and seagrass for organic texture. These natural materials add warmth and texture to the space.
Seaside Decor: Bring in elements inspired by the seaside, such as glass jars filled with sand and seashells, glass buoy-style lamps, glass hurricane lamps, candles and lanterns or driftwood mirrors.
Open Shelving: Consider open shelving in the kitchen or dining area to display vintage dishes, glassware, platters, pitchers and vases in sea glass hues, ceramic tableware and glassware with simple stripes and patterns and coastal-themed accessories.
Floral Patterns: Floral patterns in soft, pastel hues can enhance the vintage cottage vibe. Consider floral wallpapers, cushions, or curtains.
Personal Touch: Incorporate family heirlooms or items with sentimental value to add a personal touch to your coastal grandmother style.
Natural Light: Maximise natural light by using sheer curtains or leaving windows uncovered to allow the coastal sunshine to flood your space.
Minimal Clutter: Keep the space clutter-free to maintain the airy and relaxed atmosphere of coastal living.
Coastal Fragrances: Use scented candles or diffusers with ocean-inspired fragrances to enhance the overall ambiance.
Essentially, anything with vintage charm, natural textures, coastal hues, or that evokes laidback coastal living will capture the essence of the coastal grandmother vibe. The overall look should feel relaxed, nostalgic and soothing.
“The coastal grandmother style provided the perfect balance of casual comfort with timeless appeal.”
The timeless elegance of coastal grandmother style lies in its ability to blend the serene and soothing elements of coastal living with the nostalgic charm of vintage decor. This enduring design captures the essence of coastal-style living and the timeless beauty of bygone eras, making it a truly classic and inviting choice for any home.
—
PS: Just when you thought the coastal family was complete with grandma and granddaughter styles, the coastal grandpa look emerges as a hot new trend with its masculine aesthetic. This new rugged and collected beach house style brings a dose of masculinity and vintage character to coastal-style living. Read more about embracing this trend.